Novel method for making selections in search criteria in TV EPGs

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the present invention provides a television electronic programming guide that allows users to combine multiple search criteria within a single search. The electronic program guide receives a television program search criteria set containing a plurality of search criteria and provides a search result set containing television programs that meet the television program search criteria set. The search criteria in the television program search criteria set may be combined in various ways to form a complex search. For one embodiment the search criteria are combined in a Boolean AND combination. One embodiment of the present invention provides a television electronic programming guide that allows users to dynamically add or remove search criteria from a programming guide search without initiating a new programming guide search. The electronic program guide receives a revision to the television program search criteria set, and revises the search result based upon the revision.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application is related to, and hereby claims the benefit of,provisional application No. 60/296,663, which was filed Jun. 6, 2001 andis hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to onscreentelevision program guides and more specifically to a method forselecting search criteria.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Onscreen television programming guides commonly referred to aselectronic programming guides (EPGs) provide a user with the ability tocreate a search of available television programs that presents aspecified subset of the available programs. The search may returnavailable programs in a specified area of interest (e.g., comedies), ormay return programs available from a specified broadcast station orprograms available at a specified time, for example.

[0004]FIG. 1 illustrates aspects of an EPG display in accordance withthe prior art. EPG display 100 includes a search criteria window 120.EPG display 101 includes a search result window 130. Typically, a userwill enter search criteria on one display (e.g., EPG display 100), andview the search results on a following display (e.g., EPG display 101).

[0005] For example, as shown in EPG display 100, the search criterion“Children” has been selected from the search criteria window 120. TheEPG search is conducted based upon the specified criteria, and theresult is displayed on a subsequent EPG display. For example, searchresult window 130 displays the station number and title of all childrenprograms available. The user may then select a desired program.Typically, up and down arrows 131 and 132 are used to move a selectionmarker, such as a pointer or highlight, in the channel or programmingselection domain.

[0006] The prior EPG presents the drawback in that if a user desires tochange or refine the search criteria, the user must return to a previousscreen and reset the search criteria. The new search is then conductedagainst the entire set of available programs. Another drawback is thatpresent EPGs do not allow a search based upon the combination ofmultiple search criteria.

[0007] A further convention, typically maintained in prior art EPGs isthat entering numbers from a TV remote control device causes theselection marker to jump to the TV channel whose number corresponds tothe number entered on the remote control device.

[0008] However, if a search is refined, the number of presented items isalready limited, so being able to enter a channel number to navigate toa selection does not present any advantage. Furthermore, a specificchannel may or may not be represented in a specific search result, sojumping to a channel number entered by the user may not lead to an itemin the search result, and hence may be counterproductive in the search.

SUMMARY

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide methods wherein auser may combine two or more search criteria for an electronic programguide search. The electronic program guide receives a television programsearch criteria set containing a plurality of search criteria andprovides a search result set containing television programs that meetthe television program search criteria set. For one embodiment, thetelevision program search criteria set may be dynamically revised byadding or deleting search criteria. The electronic program guidereceives a revision to the television program search criteria set, andrevises the search result based upon the revision.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the accompanying drawings, and from the detaileddescription, that follows below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way ofexample, and not limitation, by the figures of the accompanying drawingsin which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 illustrates aspects of an EPG display in accordance withthe prior art;

[0013]FIG. 2 illustrates aspects of a television electronic programmingguide (EPG) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplarytelevision system for use with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of a process in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention provides a televisionelectronic programming guide that allows users to dynamically add orremove search criteria from a programming guide search withoutinitiating a new programming guide search. For one embodiment, theelectronic programming guide allows a user to combine multiple searchcriteria within a single search. For one embodiment one or more searchparameters may be dynamically altered without affecting remaining searchparameters.

[0017] In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments of thepresent invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in theart that alternative embodiments of the present invention may bepracticed without these specific details. In some instances, well-knownstructures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than indetail, in order to avoid obscuring the description of exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, theappearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” invarious places throughout the specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments.

[0019]FIG. 2 illustrates aspects of a television electronic programmingguide (EPG) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.EPG display 200 includes time navigation bar 210. Typically, EPGsmaintain an operating convention that selecting the left or right arrowmoves a selection marker, such as a pointer or highlighter, in the timeselection domain. Time navigation bar 210 includes left navigation arrow211 and right navigation arrow 212, which are used to specify a searchtime 213. For example, as shown the time selected is 6:30.

[0020] EPG display 200 also includes a search criteria window 220containing a search criteria set 221. In one embodiment, each criterionis represented by a corresponding single digit. One or more of thesearch criteria may be selected to create a specific search. Forexample, selection markers highlight elements 222 and 223, which areelements 3 and 4, respectively, of search criteria set 231. Theresulting search will be a combination of search criteria 3, Children,and search criteria 4, Family. For one embodiment the combinationresults in a Boolean “AND” operation for the selected search criteria.The selection of one or more search criteria from search criteria set221 of search criteria window 220 and initiation of a search aftercriteria selection is finished may be implemented in various ways asknown in the art. For one embodiment the selection is preformed using apreprogrammed television remote control device.

[0021] The EPG display 200 also contains search result window 230 thatdisplays a search result set 231. Search result set 231 contains thechannel number and program name for programs meeting the selected searchcriteria. Program selection marker arrows 232 and 233 allow the user tomove a program selection marker up and down, respectively, within thesearch result set 231. For example, search result 234 is a channelprogram listing, which in this example is channel 13, highlighted by theprogram selection marker. Once the selection marker comes to the bottomor the top of the screen, the list may scroll over to a following pageof search results. In alternative embodiments, a page up/page downfunction can also be used to scroll to the next or previous page ofsearch results.

[0022] For one embodiment, each of the desired search criteria can beselected by pressing a single button on a TV remote control device. Oneor more search criteria may be selected, thus allowing the user to enterthe equivalent of a combined complex search without having to deal withthe complexity of entering parameters and arguments of the search. Forexample, a user may create a Boolean search for search criteria Childrenand Family by pressing the number 3 key and the number 4 key on a TVremote control device. For one embodiment, a selected search criteriamay be deselected by depressing the corresponding numbered key of the TVremote control device.

[0023] Upon the dynamic selection (or deselection) of search criteria,the search result set 231 is updated to reflect the current searchparameters.

[0024] For one embodiment, the search criteria set 231 is displayed onmultiple screens by allowing overflow of the criteria list onto“previous” or “next” screens. For example, using the number 9 key to goto the next screen and the number 0 key to return to the previousscreen, allows a user to have access to a large selection of programsearch criteria.

[0025] Additionally, as shown, an “All” selection may be included insearch criteria set 221. Selection of “All” would result in a search bytime parameter 213 of all programming criteria. For alternativeembodiments, an “All” selection may be included in a channel or programsearch domain, rather than in a time search domain.

[0026]FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplarytelevision system for use with one embodiment of the present invention.System 300, shown in FIG. 3, includes a television set 305 coupled toset-top box 320. Set-top box 320 may typically contain a processor andmemory, the memory having software 321 stored upon it for implementingthe present invention. Network connection 322 may be analog or digitalcable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL), aerial, wirelesscable, fiber, local multi-channel distribution systems (LMDS), etc., allof which are well-known in the art. System 300 also includes remotecontrol 310, typically controlling the set-top box 320. In alternativeembodiments, remote control 310 may be integrated with a TV, VCR, DVDplayer, or other presentation devices or combinations thereof.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of a process in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. Process 400 begins at operation405 in which an EPG receives one or more search criteria. The searchcriteria may be selected as described above in reference to FIG. 2. Ifmore than one search criteria is received, the search criteria arecombined. For example, in one embodiment the search criteria arecombined using a Boolean “AND” operation to provide search results thatmeet all of the search criteria. In alternative embodiments, the searchcriteria may be combined in other ways.

[0028] At operation 410, the EPG provides a search result set. Thesearch result set contains all of the programs that meet the searchcriteria received at operation 405.

[0029] At operation 415, the EPG receives a revision to the searchcriteria. This update could take the form of additional search criteriaor one or more of the original search criteria being removed (e.g.,deselected as described above). The revision may be a combination ofadding search criteria and removing one or more of the original searchcriteria.

[0030] At operation 420 the search result set is revised to reflect theupdated search criteria. The search result set from the original searchis modified to meet the current specified search criteria. For example,if search criteria are added, then only a subset of the search resultset that meets the new criteria is retained as the updated search resultset. If a search criteria is removed, then the search result set may beenlarged to include those programs which meet the reduced searchcriteria.

[0031] Thus, one embodiment of the present invention provides a methodby which a user dynamically modifies EPG search criteria and receivesmodified search results.

[0032] The operations described above in reference to FIG. 4 (receivingEPG search criteria, providing a search result set, receiving updatedsearch criteria, and providing an updated search result set) may beimplemented by hardware and/or software contained within the viewer'sset-top box 320. For example, a set-top box may include one or moreprocessors that can execute code or instructions stored within amachine-readable medium that may also be included within the set-topbox.

[0033] The machine-readable medium may include a mechanism that provides(i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a form readable by amachine such as computer or digital processing device. For example, amachine-readable medium may include a read only memory (ROM), randomaccess memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage mediaor flash memory devices. The code or instructions may be represented bycarrier-wave signals, infrared signals, digital signals, and by otherlike signals.

[0034] While the invention has been described bed in terms of severalembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventionis not limited to the embodiments described, but can be practiced withmodification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative insteadof limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, to an electronicprogram guide, a television program search criteria set containing aplurality of search criteria; and providing a search result setcontaining television programs that meet the television program searchcriteria set.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving tothe electronic program guide, a revision to the television programsearch criteria set; and revising the search result set corresponding tothe revision to the television program search criteria set.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of search criteria isselected by pressing a corresponding button on a push-button controldevice.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the revision to the televisionprogram search criteria set includes taking an action selected from thegroup consisting of selecting one or more additional search criteria,deselecting one or more search criteria, and combinations thereof. 5.The method of claim 4, wherein each of the one or more search criteriais deselected by pressing the corresponding button on the push-buttoncontrol device.
 6. An onscreen television program guide comprising: asearch criteria window containing a plurality of search criteria, eachcriterion corresponding to a set of television programs, each criterioncapable of being selected for a search such that two or more selectedcriteria form a search criteria set; and a search result window todisplay a list of television programs corresponding to the searchcriteria set.
 7. The onscreen television program guide of claim 6,wherein the search criteria set can be dynamically revised such that thesearch result window displays a revised list of television programscorresponding to the revised search criteria set.
 8. The onscreentelevision program guide of claim 7, wherein revising the searchcriteria set includes selecting additional search criteria anddeselecting previously selected search criteria.
 9. A machine-readablemedium containing instructions which, when executed by a processor,cause the processor to perform a method, the method comprising:receiving a plurality of search criteria; comparing the search criteriato a list of available television programs; and providing a searchresult set containing television programs that meet the plurality ofsearch criteria.
 10. The machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein theplurality of search criteria are combined such that a resultant searchcriterion is the Boolean AND combination of each of the plurality ofsearch criteria.
 11. The machine-readable medium of claim 10, whereinthe method further comprises: receiving a revision to the plurality ofsearch criteria; and revising the search result set corresponding to therevision.
 12. The machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein each ofthe plurality of search criteria is selected by pressing a correspondingbutton on a push-button control device.
 13. The machine-readable mediumof claim 12, wherein the revision to the plurality of search criteriaincludes taking an action selected from the group consisting ofselecting one or more additional search criteria, deselecting one ormore search criteria, and combinations thereof.
 14. The machine-readablemedium of claim 13, wherein each of the one or more search criteria isdeselected by pressing the corresponding button on the push-buttoncontrol device.
 15. An apparatus comprising: a processor having a memorycoupled thereto, the memory having stored thereon executableinstructions which when executed by the processor, cause the processorto receive a plurality of search criteria, compare the search criteriato a list of available television programs, and provide a search resultset containing a subset of the available television programs that meetthe plurality of search criteria.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, whereinthe executable instructions when executed by the processor, furthercause the processor to receive a revision to the plurality of searchcriteria, and revise the search result set corresponding to therevision.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the revision to theplurality of search criteria includes taking an action selected from thegroup consisting of adding one or more search criteria to the pluralityof search criteria, removing one or more search criteria form theplurality of search criteria, and combinations thereof.
 18. A systemcomprising: a television display screen; an electronic program guidecapable of being displayed on the television display screen, theelectronic program guide having a search criteria window containing aplurality of search criteria; A push-button control device to selectsearch criteria such that two or more selected criteria form a searchcriteria set; and and a search result window to display a list oftelevision programs corresponding to the search criteria set.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the search criteria set can be dynamicallyrevised such that the search result window displays a revised list oftelevision programs corresponding to the revised search criteria set.20. The system of claim 19, wherein revising the search criteria setincludes selecting additional search criteria and deselecting previouslyselected search criteria.